Exalgo ER with Duragesic?

I have a few leftover pills of Exalgo ER @ 12 mg each that I happened upon today and since losing a 50 mcg./hr fentanyl transdermal patch to the shower once this month (dang it all!) I have only one more 50 mcg patch left for appx 4-5 days; Can I remove the current patch (changing is overdue) & take an EXALGO instead? I read that 12mg of Exalgo ER is equivalent to 25 mcg/hr of fentanyl transdermal. Do you think I could switch for 24 hours in a relatively safe way? I am very opioid tolerant as 50 mcg of fentanyl every 72 hrs is just barely effective enough; then again, my physiatrist refuses to rx any breakthrough meds besides Tramadol (my body seems to think this is a placebo) & Tizanidine (ZzZ). Thoughts/suggestions?

Responses (1)

Well with the current climate on narcs you stand no chance of getting another patch. We have to get creative. If those were your pills before, I don't see much of a problem with doing that. I was on tramadol, it doesn't work unless you take it on a regular basis, I don't see that it would do anything as a break thru med.

Thank-you. I see a pain mgmt doctor and he Rx'es me the fentanyl patch every month right now & I have to go every month to his office to pick the actual script up. He has said nothing about yanking me off of it but your comment made me a little nervous... I am aware the status of Hydrocodone has changed-a bummer for those who really need it, not to mention it also worked well for me, with the convenience of something that could be called in to the pharmacy in case. My pain doc never writes CII narcotics for more than one month at a time (I have to call and go get script & take it to my pharmacy) each month & I thought that was pretty normal?It is the same with my psychiatrist--CII scripts are to be picked up at his office berth month & taken to your pharmacy; he has known me over 10 years and has always written the scripts that way.

Am I missing something here? I know some docs write them 3 months out (I took care of a girl w/special & medical needs and she got CII meds by her docs with 3 scripts at a time--I was her POA so I would fill one & held on to the others for her refills) but it seems the only docs that do this anymore are Peds?

Hi,Im a 16 year cancer fighter and have been on fentanyl for years now. StaRted at 25 and have worked up to 100 mgh now for over a year.i am responding to your patch falling off. I have had 4 or 5 different manufacturer s currently I have my pharmacy order mine from Mylan Pharmacuttcals. I call them each month or 2 with my lot number on the box. They mail me a cover for the patch to ensure it wont come off. I struggle with night sweats so it was a common problem. Once I apply the askina derm dressing (name of covers) my ptaches never have come loose. I dont know if other manufacturers of these patches offer the same type of cover.if not talk to your pharmacist they carry things like this and they arent too $$$$$ i know it doesnt solve current issue but going foward you shouldnt have the patch falling off problem!good luck!

My wife has Chron's disease and has been going to a pain center for chronic pain for years. Currently on exalgo and in your case go for it. It's worth the hassle with the insurance company. She also uses the fentanyl patch. She used to have problems with the patches falling off until one Dr. suggested to spray Flonase nasal spray on the area where the patch will be and let it dry before apply the patch. It has something to do with the steroid that improve the adhesion. It has worked well for her. Just my $.02. :)